Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship preparations in top gear

South Korean internet sensation and pro-golfer Ho-Sung Choi [Courtesy]

South Korean internet sensation, Ho-Sung Choi, who landed in the country on Thursday this week is already getting a feel of Kenya and acclimatizing himself to the surroundings ahead of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship which tees-off on Thursday next week.

Having played a nine-hole practice round on Friday at the Karen Country Club, Choi was yesterday treated to a game drive at the Nairobi National Park courtesy of the Kenya Tourism Board. Together with his visiting entourage, Choi was treated to a spectacle of a host of wild animals at the park; a marvel which he remarked was unique to Nairobi based on his travel around the world.

Choi, who is famously known for his unorthodox swing, said, after his practice round on Friday, that he felt slightly nervous coming into the tournament; not knowing what to expect as this was his first time in the country. His first impression of the Karen Country Club course was that it has tricky fairways, though he said that he felt comfortable with their lengths.

Preparations in Top Gear.

Preparations for the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship are in top gear with final touches being put into place ahead of the tournament which tees-off on Thursday at the Karen Country Club.

Working teams were today putting up critical infrastructure, which includes, among others, seating bleachers, hospitality tents, tv towers and tv compound infrastructure. Teams are working round the clock to ensure all is in place ahead of the tournament this coming Thursday where expectations are high from all quarters.

This year’s tournament is set to attract a record number of spectators following the elevation of the tournament to the European Tour and is set to feature new additions to its offering such as music concerts on Friday and Saturday.

Record Number Of Journalists Apply For Accreditation.

Over 100 print, electronic and digital media journalists have applied for accreditation to this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship. Among those who have applied include local media organizations and international media channels such as Golf Channel, Getty Images and AFP as well as representatives from global giant content producer, IMG.

Another, over 120 technical media personnel, will be engaged at the TV Compound to work on giving live feed to the world.

Noteworthy among journalists who have applied for accreditation is a South Koren duo that works for JoongAng Ilbo Daily, a newspaper with a subscription of over 1.2 million people. Their involvement at the tournament has been inspired by Ho-Sung Choi’s involvement in this year’s tournament.

European Tour To Brief Journalists on Coverage Rules

The European Tour media team will on Tuesday next week take accredited local media through an extensive briefing session to sensitive them on the rules of covering a golf tournament under the elite Tour.

This follows the inclusion of live broadcast of the tournament to global audiences which comes with certain restrictions to protect paid-rights-holders. Some of the changes local media are expected to be taken through the session include dos and don’ts while filming, etiquette while engaging European Tour professional golfers, and how to access the European Tour media portal to access material from the tournament.

This will be a huge departure from the past where, because of the non-existence of a live broadcast partner, local media were given a free hand to select and package their own content.